WSGC Newsletter for Educators

Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium's electronic newsletter for teachers provides curriculum ideas, Internet links and other resources to help you better meet the Washington EALRs and the National Science Education Standards.

Registration is now open for the second annual Space Elevator Youth Robotics Competition on August 25, 2012 at the Museum of Flight in Seattle. The competition for students grades 8-12 is sponsored by the 2012 Space Elevator Conference, a 3-day technical conference focusing on a futuristic space transportation system.

Students are challenged to design, build and program an autonomous robot capable of climbing a 22-foot tether, performing a specified task and then returning to base. For complete rules and entry information, visit

On the evening of August 5, the Museum of Flight in Seattle will host a viewing party for anticipated landing of Curiosity, the Mars Science Laboratory. From 8-11:30 p.m., the museum will show NASA coverage of the landing as it is managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

DEVELOP is a NASA Science Mission Directorate Applied Sciences-sponsored internship that fosters the training and development of students in the atmospheric and geosciences. The DEVELOP Program extends the application of NASA Earth Science research and technology to meet societal needs.

Students from high school through doctoral levels are selected through a competitive application process. Students chosen by DEVELOP work on teams onsite at 10 locations nationwide. Activities are conducted during three 10-week terms per year: spring, summer and fall.

The NASA Sci Files is an inquiry-based and standards-based series of instructional programs designed to introduce students to NASA; integrate mathematics, science, and technology through the use of problem-based learning, scientific inquiry, and the scientific method; and to motivate students to become critical thinkers and active problem solvers.

The series includes an instructional broadcast, a companion educator's guide, an interactive web site featuring a PBL activity, plus a wealth of instructional resources. For more information, go to

Nominations are now open for the Patsy Collins Award for Excellence in Education, Environment and Community. The award celebrates educators who inspire their students through projects that relate to environmental and/or community stewardship.

Nominees must be affiliated with K-12, public, private or non-traditional learning environment in the Puget Sound area. The grand prize winner will be awarded a cash gift of $5,000. Two runner-up recipients will each receive a cash gift of $2,000. For more information, visit

A NASA-created application that brings some of the agency's robotic spacecraft to life in 3-D now is available for free on the iPhone and iPad.

Spacecraft 3Dc uses animation to show how spacecraft can maneuver and manipulate their outside components. The new app currently features two NASA missions: the Curiosity rover that will touch down on Mars Aug. 6 at 1:31 a.m. EDT, and the twin GRAIL spacecraft Ebb and Flow now orbiting the moon.